Norwich — The local Libertarian Party has endorsed 2013 mayoral candidate William Russell for the Norwich mayoral race this fall and a full slate of six City Council candidates during a party caucus Wednesday.

Russell, 64, said he filed his campaign paperwork Thursday and hopes to file paperwork for a full slate of the six endorsed council candidates next week. Russell also hopes to recruit a full slate of six Libertarian candidates for Board of Education as well.

“If we get 13 candidates on the ballot, it will definitely show the people of Norwich that we are serious about this,” Russell said. “We are going door to door and people are ready for change.”

Russell estimated he has knocked on about 1,500 doors already in the early campaign, and plans to reach 11,000 doors by the election.

Russell and the Libertarian council slate will not need to petition onto the ballot because they received the minimal 10 percent of the votes cast. Board of Education candidates, however, will need to petition onto the ballot, Russell said.

Russell is the fifth candidate to enter the mayoral race thus far, joining two Democrats, Derell Wilson and Alderman H. Tucker Braddock, Republican Council President Pro Tempore and former Mayor Peter Nystrom and petitioning candidate Jon Oldfield.

Russell has opposed Nystrom twice before, in a race against then-longtime incumbent state Rep. Nystrom in 2000 for the 46th District state House seat and again in 2013, when both lost to incumbent Democratic Mayor Deberey Hinchey, who is not seeking re-election this year.

c.bessette@theday.com